Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294

USA > Georgia > Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I > Part 100

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FRANK A. WYNN, physician, Rome, Floyd Co., Ga., son of J. A. and Olivia (Borders) Wynn, was born in Cedartown, Polk Co., Ga., Oct. 19, 1870. The members of the Wynn family, related to the Howes, emigrated from England to Virginia, whence some of the descendants came to Georgia. His father was born in Chattooga county, was at one time in the wholesale trade in Cedartown, Polk Co., and afterward moved to Rome, where he did a large dry-goods business until 1891. Dr. Wynn's grandmother, Anna Bird, was well known in Georgia. On his mother's side he is of Scotch-English extraction. His parents raised four children-two sons and two daughters-of which he is the eldest. Dr. Wynn was educated in the schools at Rome, where he completed his education in 1888. He at once began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Drs. Holmes and Garlington, and then attended lectures at the Atlanta Medical college, entering in 1891 and graduating in 1893. Immediately afterward he located in Rome and entered upon the practice under encouraging auspices and with unusually flat- tering success. While engaged in a general practice, he is giving special attention to the eyes, ears and throat. Studious, sympathetic and bestowing attentive nurs-

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ing on patients, he is sure of building up a large practice. He is a member of the County and State Medical associations, genial and of popular manners. He is a genuine lover of fine stock, especially horses.

HAMILTON YANCEY, insurance, Rome, Floyd Co., Ga., son of 11on. Benjamin C. Yancey and Sarah P. (Hamilton) Yancey, was born in Edgefield district, S. C., Sept. 27, 1848. His father removed from South Carolina to Alabama in 1850, resigning from the South Carolina legislature and practically declining a nomina- tion and election to congress. In 1855-56 he was president of the Alabama state senate, was appointed in 1857 United States minister to the Argentine confedera- tion, and in 1859 declined the proffer from President Buchanan of the appointment of minister to the court of St. James. In later years he was an active and influential member of the Georgia State Agricultural society, and for a number of years was its president. He was a brother to the Hon. William L. Yancey, who bore so conspicuous a part in the politics of Alabama before the war between the states began, and until his death in 1863, while serving the state in the Confederate states senate. Hamilton Yancey's maternal grandfather was Thomas Hamilton, a large planter, and one of the wealthiest citizens of Clarke county, Ga. Mr. Yancey was principally reared and educated in Athens, Ga., and was graduated from the state university in 1868 with the degree of A. B., his alma mater subsequently conferring upon him the degree of A. M. He next took a literary course at the university of Virginia, after which he spent a year in attendance on the law department of the university of Georgia. In 1871 he located in Rome and commenced the practice of law, and continued it with great success until 1887, when he retired from active practice to accept the management of the Rome Fire Insurance company, and later of the Commercial Union Assurance company, of England, for the southern states. During his professional career he was a solicitor for the city court, also attorney for the city of Rome, and alternate democratic elector on the Tilden and Hendricks ticket. His professional record brought to him substantial results and emoluments, he having been successfully engaged in many very important cases, not only in Georgia, but in the chancery courts of Alabama, having contested successfully with such leading and able attorneys as Senator John T. Morgan, and Chancellor Foster of Alabama, in the noted Round mountain and Cornwall iron works cases. Probably his most satisfactory work was done in the leading case of Mitchell vs. the city of Rome, in which case he elicited the unusual compliment from the court of having his brief adopted in part as the decision of the court, with especial credit and recognition therefor. Mr. Yancey for a number of years has been an active member of the Methodist church, of whose Sunday school he was superintendent for twelve or fourteen years, and has served his town, East Rome, as an alderman; ten or more years without salary.

FORSYTH COUNTY.

HIRAM P. BELL, lawyer, Cumming, Forsyth Co., Ga., son of Joseph S. and Rachel (Phinazee) Bell, was born in Jackson county, Ga., Jan. 19, 1827. His paternal grandfather, of English descent, was a native North Carolinian, and a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war. About the beginning of this century he migrated to Georgia, and settled in what is now Jackson county.

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Mr. Bell's father was born in North Carolina, when a boy came with his parents to Georgia, and grew to manhood in Jackson county. Subsequently he moved to Forsyth county, where he became prominent as a farmer and citizen. His mother was of a well-known old Georgia family, of Scotch extraction. Mr. Bell received a good primary education at the near-by common schools of the county and then attended the academy at Cumming. After leaving the academy he taught school and commenced reading law; and Nov. 28, 1849, was admitted to the bar. He advanced very rapidly in his profession, and was soon at the head of the local bar. In 1862 he formed and organized a company, of which he was made captain, and which became Company I of the Forty-third Georgia regiment. When the regi- ment was organized he was commissioned as its lieutenant-colonel. He was with his command as such and participated in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, Miss. He was so seriously wounded in this battle as to be disabled from further service and came home. Recognizing his services and his superior ability his fellow-citizens elected him to the second Confederate congress, whose arduous and onerous duties Col. Bell discharged with characteristic devotion and fidelity. He was the first senator elected for the thirty-ninth senatorial district of Georgia, and represented the ninth congressional district in the forty-third and forty-fifth congresses of the United States; was a member of the electoral college in 1868 that cast the vote of the state for Seymour and Blair, and was a delegate to the St. Louis convention that nominated Tilden and Hendricks in 1876. Since the war he has given his attention almost exclusively to the practice of his profession, enjoys a large practice and influential clientage. He is reputed to have been engaged in more murder cases than any member of the bar in the circuit. Col. Bell is very public- spirited, and takes great interest in every enterprise or movement promising to develop and add to the material prosperity of his county and section. He is excep- tionally active and exercises an almost potential influence in education and religious advancement and in the temperance movement. In all these matters his light is not hid under a bushel. Col. Bell was happily married Jan. 22, 1850, to Miss Virginia, a sister of the late George N. Lester, who died while holding the office of attorney- general of Georgia. This union was blessed with four children: Mary R., widow of Rev. George E. Gardner, deceased, preacher of the Methodist church south; Julia L., wife of Hon. Farris Carter Tate, member of congress, ninth congressional district of Georgia; George L., principal clerk, United States district attorney, northern district of Georgia; and Virginia. The mother of these, an exemplary member of the Methodist church, died April 30, 1888. Col. Bell contracted a second marriage, June II, 1890, with Miss Anna A. Juhan. Col. Bell is a pro- nounced and very influential democrat, a worker and leader; he is also a master Mason and a very prominent and active member of the Methodist church.

JOHN HOCKENHULL, physician and surgeon, Cumming, Forsyth Co., Ga., was born in Stockport, Eng., Jan. 22, 1832. He was the son of John and Mary (Kemp) Hockenhull, both of whom were natives of England. His father emigrated to the United States and settled at White Plains, now Dalton, Whitfield Co., Ga., where he remained some time. Subsequently he moved to Lumpkin county, Ga., where he engaged in mining, and was remarkably successful. He died in 1880. The subject of this sketch was nine years old when his parents came to this country, and the ship was ten weeks and two days making the passage; they ran short of provisions, and suffered almost intolerable hardships and privations. His parents reared a family of nine children: John, the subject of this sketch; Charles H .; James F .; Emma, wife of Robert McClure; Ellen, wife of Sidney Hays; Anna, wife of William J. Barrett; Sarah J., wife of William Looper; Elizabeth, wife of George Roker; Louise, wife of John Edwards. Dr. Hockenhull spent the years of

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his boyhood in Lumpkin county, where he received such primary education as the period and the locality could afford. He then began the study of medicine in Cleveland, Tenn., under G. P. Thompson. After thus preparing himself, he attended lectures during the winter of 1852-53 at the university of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He next attended lectures at the medical college of Georgia, Augus- ta, from which he was graduated in 1855, and entered at once upon the practice of his profession with uninterrupted success. In 1871 he located in Cumming, where he has steadily added to his reputation and built up a large and very profitable practice. No physician in Forsyth or adjoining counties stands higher with the profession or the people, and his friends far outnumber his acquaintances. During the war he served as assistant surgeon of the Fifty-second Georgia regiment in the Kentucky campaign under Gen. Bragg. Dr. Hockenhull was married July 5, 1859, to Miss Mary A., born Nov. 2, 1841, daughter of Allman and Margaret A. Hutch- ins, a union which has been blessed with eight children: Mary J., born June 23, 1860; John H., born Feb. 8th, 1863, successful physician; Sarah A., born Jan. 19, 1866; James T., born June 18, 1868; Victoria E., born Sept. 18, 1870; Walter L., born April 9, 1875; Willie F., born Dec. 10, 1877, and Allman G., born April 29, 1880. The doctor is a stanch democrat and an ardent master Mason, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist church.

RUFUS E. GUTHRIE, farmer, Cumming, Forsyth Co., Ga., son of Nehemiah and Nancy (Turner) Guthrie, was born in Walton county, Ga., Sept. 14, 1841. His paternal grandfather, Beverly Guthrie, was a native of Virginia, and when quite young came to Georgia with his parents, and was one among the early settlers of that part of the state. Mr. Guthrie's father moved to Walton county in 1830, where he bought a farm and engaged in farming. He acquired consider- able property, and attained to some prominence. His father died Dec. 22, 1859, and his mother died June 10, 1890. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four are living: Sarah E., wife of Richard S. Easley; Robert C .; Catharine, wife of Richard Stansell, and Rufus E., the subject of this sketch. Those deceased are: James B., Thomas W., killed in the battle July 22, 1863; Martha A. and Francis D. Mr. Guthrie was raised on his father's farm and received but little education. He has profitably continued farming as his principal pursuit, but has dealt quite largely in live stock. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Capt. Nun- nally, Eleventh Georgia regiment, with which he participated in the battles of Yorktown, Malvern Hill and second Manassas. In this battle, Aug. 30, 1862, he received six shots in the body and was left on the field for dead. After remain- ing there several hours he was discovered and taken to a hospital, where one of his legs was amputated. After remaining in the hospital four weeks he returned home, and as soon as he was able resumed his farming operations and general trading in live stock. By his industry, shrewdness and good judgment he has made money and secured for himself a comfortable competency. Mr. Guthrie was a popular county official for a long time, having been elected tax receiver in 1876, and re-elected for five consecutive terms, never having been defeated for the office. He was one of the best, if not the best, tax receivers the county ever had, and could be elected to that office again if he desired it. Mr. Guthrie was married Dec. 6, 1860, to Miss Lucy, daughter of Frederick and Emily (Cook) Vaughn. Mr. Vaughn was of an old Georgia family and a prosperous farmer. Twelve children blessed their union: Mary V .; Nancy, wife of James E. Vaughn ; John W .; Sarah C., wife of John H. Adams; Frederick N., deceased; Beverly A .; Glenn, Millie, Velvie, Rufus S .; Una, deceased, and Augustus, deceased. Politi-

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cally Mr. Guthrie is a populist and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist church.

ANSEL STRICKLAND, physician and surgeon, Cumming, Forsyth Co., Ga., son of Henry and Elizabeth (Smith) Strickland, was born in Cherokee county, Ga., May 19, 1858. His paternal grandfather, Hardy Strickland, was a native of Virginia, whence he emigrated to Georgia and settled in Jackson county. Dr. Strickland's father was one of the most successful miners in north Georgia and died in 1863. His mother was a native of Massachusetts. She died in 1859. His parents raised five children. Dr. Strickland was left an orphan when only five years old, and was reared in Cherokee county, Ga., where he received his primary education. After further pursuing his studies he read medicine and then attended lectures at Atlanta medical college from which he graduated in 1880. He engaged in the practice for a while, and then attended lectures in New York medical col- lege, from which he graduated in 1885. He immediately located in Cumming, where he has remained ever since and has established an enviable reputation for skill, based on unusual success. Besides attending strictly to his increasing prac- tice he operates a tannery at Cumming, and is a stockholder in the shoe manu- facturing company at Gainesville. He is very popular. and the promise of his future is of the most encouraging character. Dr. Strickland was married in 1879 to Miss Julia, daughter of Dr. John Hockenhull, by whom he had four children, only one of whom-Charlotte-born in 1888, is living. The mother died in 1889, and for his second wife Dr. Strickland married Miss Mamie L. Rogers, daughter of Capt. R. N. Rogers, of Milton county, Ga., in 1891, who has borne him one child-Roy-born Jan. 27, 1894. He is a strong democrat, and a royal arch Mason, and himself and wife are prominent members of the Methodist church.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

WILLIAM F. BOWERS. There are many families in Franklin county, Ga., who may justly claim to be sprung from the "oldest settlers," and many persons have been born there who have become distinguished. But few, if any, families can prove earlier settlement or a clearer, more reputable record-though not as conspicuous or distinguished as some-than that of the family of which Hon. William F. (familiarly known as "Uncle Billy") Bowers is now the living head. Simple as a child in friendly intercourse, altogether devoid of ostentation, and conscious of entire rectitude, he is always self-poised. For stern and steady, and inflexible adherence to what he deems correct principles, and conscientious conviction, he is almost without a peer. Mr. Bowers was the son of Job and Elizabeth (Ballinger) Bowers, and was born in what is now Hart county, in 1825. His paternal great-grandfather, Job Bowers, was of Welsh extraction, was a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war; and who, while at home "on furlough," was killed by the tories. He was actually one of the earliest settlers on or near the Savannah river in that part of Georgia. His grandparents were William and Mary Bowers, and his grandfather was born in what is now Elbert county, and lived there a farmer until he died. Mr. Bowers' father was born in Elbert (now Hart) county, taught school and farmed, and later became a

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merchant. For many years he was surveyor of the county, and also served his fellow-citizens as justice of the peace for more than a score of years. "Uncle Billy's" mother was a daughter of William Ballinger, a farmer, and another of the oldest settlers of the territory now known as Elbert county, and was a prosperous farmer. "Uncle Billy" was brought up on the farm, and as he expresses it, "in the store room," his only education being obtained at the dirt floor, puncheon- seated log school house, with not a nail in it, and stick-and-mud chimney. He began life as a farmer, and afterward engaged very much to his pecuniary advan- tage, in merchandising. None of his family would ever own a slave; and from earliest life he was an uncompromising Union man. He claims to be, and probably is, the only man then a resident of Georgia now living, who voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He did not swerve from his Union principles during the war; was a member of the constitutional convention of 1868, and served on the committee on the bill of rights and other committees. Subsequently he repre- sented his senatorial district in the general assembly. In 1884 he established the "American Union" newspaper, still published, which reflects his political opinions, and sometimes his religious convictions. In 1890 he was a district supervisor for taking the United States census. He is remarkably intelligent, his intellect bright and clear, very robust physically, and possessing the progressive spirit and vigor of a man of half his age. He enjoys the unquestioning confidence of the people of the large extent of territory in which he is known. Mr. Bowers was married in 1851 to Miss Christiana-born in Franklin county in 1825-daughter of Ellis and Dorcas (Attaway) Cheek. Mr. Cheek was a native of South Carolina, a farmer, and came to Georgia and settled in Franklin county about 1820. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowers six survive: Bunyan, Naomi, Pink, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Lois. He is particularly proud of his family, all of whom are strictly pious and none ever having taken a drink of intoxicating liquor. Himself and wife are de- voted and working members of the Church of Christ. He is an ordained minister and goes about doing good and carrying the glad tidings of great joy, having worked in the ministry more than fifty years, and is one of the most entertaining talkers of that part of Georgia.

WILLIAM M. BOWERS, merchant-farmer, Royston, Franklin Co., Ga., son of T. W. and Alphia A. (Glover) Bowers, was born in what is now Hart county in 1850. (For some particulars in lives of his great-great-grandfathers, Job and William Bowers, see sketch of William F. Bowers in these memoirs.) His grandparents, William and Polly (Holbrook) Bowers, were descendants of the early settlers of the same name in Elbert (now Hart) county. He was a large planter and land-holder, and very influential. His wife, "Aunt Polly," was the only "female doctor" in all that region, and on supreme occasions was the sole reliance of families for miles around. Mr. Bowers' father was born in what is now Hart county, was a successful and influential farmer, and was a major of the militia when it was an envied local distinction. His mother was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Pullum) Glover. Her father was a native of Virginia and enlisted in the patriot army during the revolutionary war when only sixteen years of age. He came to Georgia when about twenty-five years old and settled in what was then Franklin county, where he became a large land-owner and died in 1836. Mr. Bowers was reared on the farm, and his educational advantages were very meager. When twenty years old he began life for himself by working on a farm. In 1877 he bought his first piece of land, and since then has added to it until now he has 500 acres of as good land as the county contains. In addition he owns and operates a ginnery, a grist mill, a smithery, and has an interest in the general merchandise

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store of Nelms, Bowers & Co., Royston, Ga. He conducts his farm on progressive lines, and is not only a believer in diversified crops, but takes great interest ill improved stock-raising. He is a man of fine practical business capabilities, and very enterprising, and is one of Franklin county's most solid and substantial, as well as most highly-esteemed citizens. For a time he served the people of Royston as mayor. Mr. Bowers was married in 1874 to Miss Mary J .- born in Madison county, Ga., in 1856-daughter of Robert and Sarah C. (Bowers) Berreman. Mr. Berreman was a native of Virginia, came to Georgia when a young man; was a farmer and trader and owned a large amount of land. When the war between the states began he enlisted and went to the front, and died when in the service. Eight of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowers are living: Robert S., Jennie E., Shadrack S., Harley B., Gifford E., Maura J., Joe, and Tabor B. Himself and wife are prominent and working members of the Baptist church, of which he has been a deacon for many years.

JAMES L. BROWN, farmer, Cadiz, Franklin Co., Ga., son of Isham and Eliza- beth (Burrus) Brown, was born in Anderson, S. C., in 1816. His paternal grand- parents were James and Susan (Kane) Brown, who moved first to North Caro- lina and thence to South Carolina, where he died in 1837. He was a large farmer and a preacher of some note. His grandparents were George and Rachel (Felton) Brown. They were natives of North Carolina, where he followed farming. Mr. Brown's father was born in Pendleton district, S. C., where he grew to manhood, and later moved to Georgia and settled in Franklin county. Mr. Brown was reared on the farm and received only the limited education obtainable in that locality at the time of his boyhood. He started in life as an overseer, then for some years rented land, and finally, in 1839, he bought a farm, on which he has since lived a happy, contented life, and raised a family. He has an excellent farm in fine condition, with a comfortable dwelling and substantial outbuildings. He has served as bailiff and as a justice of the peace. Mr. Brown was married in 1839 to Miss Jane M .- born in South Carolina in 1822-daughter of William and Annie (Love) Bailey. He was a native of South Carolina and a farmer. Eleven children blessed this union: Martha C., Eliza, William F., Asa M., Elizabeth N., John T., Anavastine, Isham, Newton, Susan L. and Lawrence S., of whom seven survive. The mother of these, a devoted member of the Baptist church, died in 1882. Subsequently he married Miss Eleanor-born in Elbert county in 1837 --- daughter of Thomas Black, who was born in Union, S. C., and followed farming and carpentering. Mr. Brown and his wife are consistent members of the Bap- tist church.

CARTLIDGE. Unostentatious, useful members of society and communities seldom receive the meed of praise or the consideration their merits and quietly-rendered services justly entitle them to. Disdaining to seek, they often shrink from notoriety, avoiding the appearance of seeking it. Of this class is the Rev. G. H. Cartlidge, a Presbyterian clergyman of Franklin county, Ga. He was the son of Samuel and Agnes W. (Groves) Cartlidge, and was born in Columbia county, Ga., in 1820. His paternal grandfather was a native of Wales, whence he emigrated to America and settled in Virginia before the revolutionary war, but subsequently moved to North Carolina. His grandparents, Joseph and Dillie Linders (nee Page) Cartlidge, were natives of North Carolina, and migrated to Georgia and settled in what is now Columbia county in 1788. He was a farmer and was a soldier in the patriot army during the revolutionary war. Mr. Cartlidge's father was born in Columbia county, was raised a farmer, and adopted

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farming as his life pursuit. He was a soldier in the last war with Great Britain, and was an earnest member of and worker in the Baptist church. His mother was a daughter of Stephen and Isabella (Weekly) Groves. He was a native of England, emigrated to this country before the revolutionary war, and settled in Pennsylvania, where he married an Irish lady. He was a farmer and tanner, and before the revolutionary war owned large tracts of land around Vicksburgh, Union Co., Pa. He served in the revolutionary army during the war, after which he migrated to Georgia and located in what is now Madison county, where he died in 1839, in the one hundredth year of his age. Mr. Cartlidge received his primary and preparatory education at the near-by schools and then entered Oglethorpe university, Midway, Baldwin Co., Ga., in 1841, from which he grad- uated in 1845. Having taken a course of study at a theological school, he was called to the pastorate of the church at Woodstock, Oglethorpe Co., Ga. A short time afterward he moved to Lexington, Oglethorpe Co., where he was pastor of the church, and taught school in the academy two years. From there he went to Madison county, where he remained four years, whence, in 1852, he was called to the pastorate of Hebron church, Franklin county, where his home has been ever since. For six months during the war he was captain of Company A, Toombs' brigade. In addition to his pastoral work he looks after his farm, and while working earnestly and zealously in the vineyard of the Master, is calmly and expectantly awaiting the summons to lay aside the "armor," lay down the "cross," and ascend to receive his "crown"-his only regret being to leave a flock which so loves and reveres him. Mr. Cartlidge was married in 1847 to Miss Annie M .- born in Portland, Me., in 1824-daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Whitemarsh) Lane. Mr. Lane was a native of New Hampshire, and was a contractor and builder. He invented the original nail cutting machine, on which those now in use are improvements. He came to Georgia and settled near Milledgeville, where he died in 1842. Of the children which were the fruit of this union nine are living: George R. G., farmer; Charles W., farmer; Joseph M., mechanic; John H., farmer; Annie Dora, wife of James M. King; Sarah A., wife of Isaac M. Johnson; Luther H., physician, graduate of the Southern Medical college, At- lanta; Thomas D., Presbyterian clergyman; Samuel J., Presbyterian clergyman.

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Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 100

Author: Publication date: 1859 Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association Number of Pages: 1294

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294